UN envoy in Riyadh to prepare for peace talks
The UN envoy to Yemen was expected to meet government officials yesterday to lay the groundwork for peace talks, as international pressure mounts to end the war.
“Martin Griffiths arrived in Riyadh on Sunday. He is scheduled to meet Yemeni government officials to discuss the framework of the peace talks,” an aide told The National.
Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, Vice President Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar and Foreign Minister Khalid Al Yamani are among those Mr Griffiths is expected to meet in the Saudi capital.
Last week, the UN official was in Houthi-held Sanaa before planned talks in December between the rebels and pro-government forces.
During his trip to Sanaa, Mr Griffiths held meetings with Houthi leaders and proposed that the UN oversee operations in Hodeidah – one of the key sticking points in his attempt to bring the parties to the negotiating table in Sweden next month. Mr Griffiths said he discussed with the rebels how the UN could maintain peace in Hodeidah.
Yesterday the Arab Coalition said it would issue 16 permits for humanitarian ships to enter the port of Hodeidah.
Spokesman Turki Al Maliki said that the rebels were blocking ships from entering the port, which was causing a “humanitarian catastrophe” in the city. The Arab Coalition destroyed 36 naval mines planted by the rebels, he said. “Houthis are also conducting operations from hospitals and mosques around the port,” Mr Al Maliki said.